Talent
Lenawee County draws from a workforce of 1.27 million within a 60-minute commute, spanning engineers and designers, production workers, logistics operators, and maintenance and repair professionals. The county's position between Ann Arbor, Detroit, Toledo, and Jackson means businesses here can recruit across the full regional labor market while offering workers a more affordable place to live and work.
Ready and Willing Workers
The regional workforce within a 60-minute commute of Lenawee County covers the occupation categories most relevant to the industries the SmartZone serves.
Lenawee County's workforce skews toward practical, hands-on skills. 35.4% of county residents have some college or an associate's degree — the largest educational attainment segment in the county — reflecting a concentration of vocational and technical training that aligns well with manufacturing, logistics, and industrial operations.
| Occupation Category | Workers within 60-min Commute |
|---|---|
| Engineers and Designers | 51,138 |
| Production Workers | 95,244 |
| Transportation and Logistics | 111,231 |
| Maintenance and Repair | 37,639 |
| Total Workforce | 1,270,000+ |
Labor market data based on workers within a 60-minute commute of the Tecumseh Business and Technology Park.
University Students
The SmartZone region is within reach of several colleges and universities that contribute to the local talent pipeline, including the University of Michigan, Adrian College, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, and Jackson Community College. These institutions provide graduates across technical, engineering, and business disciplines for businesses in the region.
ALIGN Center for Workforce Development
The ALIGN Center for Workforce Development is a regional resource connecting employers with workforce training programs, job seekers, and career development support across Lenawee County. Businesses locating in the SmartZone can work directly with the ALIGN Center to build recruitment pipelines and access workforce training resources.
LISD Tech Center
The LISD Career Tech Center is a countywide initiative that provides all students in Lenawee County the opportunity to explore college and careers through various technical education programs. Located in Adrian, Michigan, the LISD Career Tech Center offers programs in graphic arts, business, technology, engineering, manufacturing, health sciences, and agriscience.